Door catch



G. R. ADAMS March 10, 1931.

DOOR CATCH A Filed Sept. 18, 1929 Patented Mar. 10, 1931 UNITED STATESPATENT orrics GEORGE R. ADAMS, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, .ASSIGNOR TOL. C. SACHS, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA DOOR CATCH Application filedSeptember 18, 1929. Serial No. 393,445.

My invention rola-tes to catches which are used to maintain doors andthe like in a closed posit-ion.

Catches ot this type usually have a handle which may be grasped foropening and closing the door. An operating means for releasing a catchmember in the catch is usually 1ncorporated in the handle so as to beoperated by the same hand which grasps the handle, the catch memberbeing released by turning or sliding the handle relative to the body. Myinvention comprehends a catch of this class wherein the catch member isreleased by depressing a button on the catch and further comprehends acatch in which the button is incorporated in the handle so that thecatch may be released and the door opened with the same hand.

It is an object of my invention to provide a catch of the above classwhich is releasable by grasping a handle of tie catch between twolingers of one hand and by depressing through the handle. Y

Another object is to provide'a novel linkage between the push button anda catch niember in the catch so that the catch member is released whenthe push button is depressed.

The type ot catch I have used in the preferred form ot my invention hasa catch inember which is movable longitudinally of the catch bodymembers having other releasing` means may be used, it desired. i f

A. further object is to provide a novel linkage between the push buttonand av catch member ot theabove `class in which a movenient ot the pushbutton transversal'ly ot' the catch body is translated int-o a movementlongitudinally .oiI the catch vbody for releasing the catch member.

Another object is to provide a linkage of this type which has togglelinks operatively connecting the body and the catch member .indengageable by the pnsh button so as to release the catch member when thepush button is depressed. y'

Another object is to provide a novel attachment between the catch memberand the togto release the catch7 but catch is slidable in anl enlargedcatch member.

lt is also an object to provide a detachable handle for a catch of theabove class so as to permit the catch to be fitted with variousornamental handles.

Various other objects and advantages are evidenced in the constructionof the preferred form of my device.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the utility of adevice of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on a. plane indicated by the line 2-2of Fig. 1 showing the parts in a normal position;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken the saine as Fig. 2 showing the partsin a released position;

Fig. l is a sectional View taken as indicated by the line 1 -4 of Fig.2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the opening in the lparts in theorder of their assembly; with the thumb a push button extendingy falternative form ot my invention.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a part of an Referring to Fig. 1, I haveshown a catch 11 of my invention which may be attached to a door 12 andwhich is engaged with a conventional keeper 13 attached to the door face14 so as to hold the door 12 closed. As clearly shown in Figs. 2 to 4,the catch 11 has a housing o1' box-shaped body 16 along the sides ofwhich are attachment flanges 1?. The body 16 has an opening 1S in theside between the flanges 17 and has a. truste-conical turret 20 formedon the opposite side. Adapted to surround the turret- 2() is a glasshandle 21 which has a fi'usto-conical Vportion 24: adapted to fit overthe turret 20 and a flanged head 25 at thc end ot the truste-con icalportion 24, the handle 21 being tliusadapty ed to be grasped between thefirst and second fingers ot the hand when releasing the catch. Thehandle 21 is secured to the catch 11 by a nut 28 which is threaded tothe turret 2O and which has an annular flange 29 resting in an annularopening 30 in the handle 21. The nut 28 is provided with a centralopening Gti 34 which connects with an opening 35 in the i l turret 20and an opening 86 in the bodyl '16. gle link in which an endet thetoggle link ExtendingY longitudinally of the opening 36 and of the body16 is a catch member 40 having large and small rectangular portions l1and 42 which are respectively slidable in rectangular openings is and l5in the ends of the body 16. The end otl the large rectangular portion 41has an angled face 46 for engagingthe keeper 13 in a well-known manner,the catch member et() being forced into engagement therewith by acompression spring surrounding the Ismall portion 42 and beingcompressed between the body 1G and a shoulder' 51 formed between thelarge and small portions Ll1 and 42.

The catch member 40 is moved from a normal position, as shown in Fig. 2,to a released position, as shown in Fig. 3, by an operating means 5ft otmy invention. The operating means 54 includes a primary operating member55 having a cylindrical portion 56, the end of which is rounded to forma push button 58 and which is extended through the opening 311 so thatthe push button 58 may be depressed by the thumb of the operator whenthe handle 21 is grasped by the fingers in releasing the catch l1. Thecylindrical portion 56 is of smaller diameter than the opening 3st so asto extend therethrough and permit the primary member 55 to move to anangled position, as shown in Fig. It is also tapered midway of theprimary member 55 to a reduced diameter portion 60 which is slidable ina circular opening (i1 in the catch member L10, the opening` 61 beingsut'- ficiently enlarged to prevent binding when the catch member l andthe primary member 55 are moved to the released position. as shown inFig. 3.

Cooperating with the primary member is a secondary operating member (32having a yoke G3 formed at one end, the yoke tl being pivotcd to theprimary member b v a pin 64 extending through openings in the yoke (33and primary member The secondary member G2 extends through an elongatedopenin G6 in the catch member 10 and the other end thereof pivotcd, in amanner to be subsequently explained, as at (3T relative to the body 16so as to form a bent toggle lioint between the primary and secondarymembers and 62.

The pivoting at 67 is accomplished by a retaining member 70 which closesthe opening 1S in the side oi the body 16 and which provides a hook 71at one end, which hoolf. 71 extends inside the body 16 and pivotallyengages a slot .72 in the end ot the secondary member 62. The end of theretaining member 70 is thus pivotally held between the hook 71 and theend wall of the body 16. The retaining member 70 has side walls 74 whichextend inside the body 16 and normally spring outward to trictiouallyengage the body 1G and hold the retaining member 70 in place. A portionof each 01' the side walls 74@ of the retaining' member 70 is eut andturned down to form supports 76 for the catch member 10 when it is inthe released position, as shown in Fig. 3.

In the operation ot my invention, the handle 21 is grasped between thefirst and second lingers of the hand ot the operator and the push button58 is depressed by the thumb. The depressing oi. the push button 58moves the primary member 55 relative to the body 1G, swinging the pin(i4 about the pivot 67 to a position A. as shown in Fig. il, and mov ingthe primary member into engagement with the nut 28 at the point B. Thisforms toggle links ot the primary and secondary members 55 and (S2 asindicated by the line C-C ot Fig. Further depression of the push button58 causes the toggle links to rotate relative to each other and causes arotation of the primary member 55 relative to the body 1G. Bue to theengagement of the reduced diameter portion (3() otthe primary member 55with the walls of the opening G1 in the catch member 10, the catchmember 10 is caused to slide relative to the body 1G against the actionof the spring 5l). During this movement, the reduced diameter portion(SO of the primary member 55 slides in the opening (31 and the secondarymember (52 moves relative to the catch member in the opening (S6. lVhenthe push button 5S is fully depressed the parts are moved to the fullyreleased position. as shown in Fig. 3, and the door 12 may be opened bypulling on the handle 21. Upon releasing the push button 58 the spring50 moves the catch member 41() to the normal position and duc to thecngagi-anent ot the parts the primary and secondary members and ($2 arealso returned to the normal position7 as shown in Fi 2.

1t should be noted that the size of the opening GG is made such thatwhen the catch 11 in the normal position, thc rear wall ot the opening(S6 engages the secondary member 62 and acts as a stop to preventfurther torward movement of the catch mem` ber 10.

In order to disassemble my device it is only necessary to remove theretaining member T0 from trictional engagement with the bodyv 1G. Thisreleases the end ot the secondary member (l2 and permits the apparatusinside the body 16 to be removed theretrom. The retaining member 7() isnormally held in the body 1G by trictional engagement and it is alsoheld in the body 1G when the catch 11 is secured to a door 12 by beingheld between the catch 11 and the door 12. This prevents the retainingmember from becoming accidentally detached from the body 16 when thecatch is installed for use.

In Fi g. 6, I have shown an alternative form of my invention in whichthe glass handle 21 and nut 28 are replaced by a metal handle 86 whichhas a threaded tiange 81 for tl read- Elfi ing on the turret 20. Othertypes of handles may be used to secure various ornamental etlects asdesired.

Various modifications may be made in my device without departing fromthe spirit ot my invention. The catch member l() which l, have used ismovable longitudinally ot' the body 1G, but this may be replaced bycatches having other movements. It should also be noted that the primaryandsecondary members and are essentially a pair ot toggle links whichoperatively connect the body 16 to the catch member et). It is possibleto provide the attachment between the primary member 55 and the catchmember l0 with a pivotal connection and to form the push button 58separately from the primary member 55, the push button 58 engaging thetoggle links so as to release the catch member 40 when the push button58 is depressed.

l claim as my invention:

1. In a catch, the combination of: a body adapted tor detachableconnection to a support; a handle on said body adapted to be graspedbetween two fingers of a hand; and a push button extending through saidhandle and adapted. to be moved transversely of said body when depressedby a thumb so as to release said catch.

2. In a catch, the combination of: a body adapted for detachableconnection to a snpport; a catch member carried by said body and movablerelative thereto; a handle on said body adapted to be grasped betweentwo tingers of a hand; a push button extending through said handle andadapted to be moved transversely of said body when depressed by a thumb;and means operatively connecting` said catch member and said pushbut-ton for moving said catch member relative to said body when saidpush button is depressed.

3. In a catch, the combination of: a body adapted for detachableconnection to a support; a catch member carried by said body and movablelongitudinally thereof; a handle on said body adapted to be graspedbetween two fingers ot a hand; a push button extending through saidhandleV and adapted to be moved transversely ot said body when depressedby a thumb; and means operatively connecting said catch member and saidpush button for translating said transverse movement of said push buttoninto a longitudinal movement etllective to move said catch member.

4f. In a catch, the combination of: a body; a catch member carried bysaid body and movable relative thereto; a handle on said body adapted tobe grasped between two l lingers of a hand; a push button extendingthrough said handle land adapted to be depressed by a thumb; a primaryoperating member operatively connecting said catch member and said pushbutton; and a secondarv operating member carried by said body andoperable to move said catchl member through said primary member whensaid push button is depressed.

ln a catch, the combination of: a body; a catch member carried by saidbody and movable longitudinally thereof; a handle on said body adaptedto be grasped between two lingers ot a hand; a push button extendingthrough said handle and adapted to be moved transversely of said body bya thumb; a primary operating member operatively connecting saidcatch-member and said push button; and a secondary operating membercarried by said body and operable to move said catch memberlongitudinally of said body through said primary member when said pushbutton is depressed.

6. In a catch7 the combination of: a body; i

Vpush button is depressed.

7. In a catch, the combination ot: a body; a catch bar carried by saidbody and movable longitudinally thereto to an advanced and a retractedposition; a handle on said body, said handle having an opening therein;a primary operating member operatively connected to said catch bar; apush button on said primary member; said push button ex'- tendingthrough said opening in said hanfillc and being depressible to move saidprimary member; a secondary operating member arried by said body andoperable to move said catch member from said advanced to said retractedposition through said primary member when said push button is depressed;and resilient means for moving said catch member from said retracted tosaid advanced position. Y

8. In a catch, the combination ot: a body; a catch bar carried by saidbody and movable relative thereto, said catch bar having an openingtherein; a handle on said body, said handle having an opening therein; aprim ary operating member having a portion thereol sliding freely insaid opening in said catch bar; a push button on said primary member.said push button extending through said opening in said handle and beingdepressible to move said primary member.; and a secondary member pivotedrelative to said body and to said primary member and operable to movesaid catch member through said primary member when said push button isdepressed.

9. In a catch, the combination of: a body; a catch member carried bysaid body and ltsn movable relative thereto; a handle on said bodyadapted to be grasped between two lingers ot a hand; a push buttonextending through said handle and adapted to be moved transversely ot'said body When depressed by a thumb; toggle means operatively connectingsaid eateh member and said push button for moving said eateh memberrelative to said body when said push button is depressed; and

--means for frietionally engaging said body and retaining said togglemeans in operating relationship to said catch member and said pushbutton.

10. In a Catch, the Combination ot: a` body;

" a eatch bar Carried by said body and movable relative thereto; ahandle on said body; said handle having an opening therein; a primaryoperating member operatively connected to said eateh bar; a push buttonon said primary member; said push button extending through said openingin said handle and being depressible to move said primary member; aretaining member frictionally secured to said body; and a secondaryoperating member earried by said retaining member and operable to movesaid Cat-eh member through said primary member when said push button isdepressed.

1l. In a eatel1,tl1e Combination of: a retaining member trietionallysecured to said body; a body adapted for detachable connection to asupport; a. catch member carried by said body and movable in saidretaining member; a handle detachably secured to said body adapted to begrasped between two fingers of a, hand; a push button extending throughsaid handle and adapted to be moved transversely of said body whendepressed by a thumb; and means operatively connecting `said eatehmember and said push button for moving said eateh member relative tosaid body when said push button is depressed.

12. In a catch, the combination of: a body adapted for detachableconnection to a support; a Catch member carried by said body and movablerelative thereto; a handle on said body adapted to be grasped betiveentwo lingers of a hand; a push button extending through said handle andadapted to be moved transversely of said body when depressed by a thumb;and toggle links operatively Connecting said body, said eateh member andsaid push button for moving said Catch member relative to said body whensaid push button depressed.

13. A eateh as defined by Claim 12 in which said push button is formedintegrally with one of said toggle links.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles,California, this 13th day ot' September, 1929.

GEORGE R. ADAMS.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. ,795,590. Granted March 10, 1931, to

GEORGE R. ADAMS,

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4,lines 29 and 30, claim 11, strik@ out the words "a retaining memberfrictionaily secured to said body;" and insst the same after the word"support" in iie 32, same caim; and that the said Letters Patent shouldbe read with this correction therein that the same may conform to therecord of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 21st day of April, A. D. 1931.

M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

